Why You Need A Gibson Les Paul

Jonathan dives into the history and why you will love and need to have a Les Paul in your collection of guitars! It may not be your first or your last but you need to own one at one point in your life!
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[@OrbitlynX]

Couple years ago I didnt think I need a Les Paul, now I have 4. :D

[@smackothy]

LMAO so real, love the ‘:D’

[@flashingit]

Same here. 4 Gibson LP

[@qua7771]

7.

[@DavidV63]

It's like pokemons ^^

[@jaypaulson5181]

Yep- every Paul is different- got mine (‘80) in 1985, and have never been able to find one like it… Forever my number one!

[@MyDadWasALifeguard]

Same here ..a 68 Gold Top in 1985..I just bought a used studio a few weeks ago Gibson has put out so much Shiite recently..imo

[@MrSkyfish7]

Les Pauls have about a dozen specs to them that are on the edge of being flaws. It is rare that you find a Les Paul that gets all 12 of them right, and those are the rare "masterpieces". The combination of the good and the bad give each one its character. More people I've met name their Les Pauls than any other guitar. Something about them make them individuals. I have one that stays rock solid in tune, has a thinner neck, medium weight and sounds closer to my SG. My other has a thicker neck, has a singing sustain on the higher strings, is amazing for the Allman brothers sound, but it is heavy and if you look at it wrong that G string goes just a hair flat. I also own a perfect guitar, its a PRS. Always in tune. Perfect neck. Sustain when I want, bark when I want it. I'll never need another PRS. But the Les Pauls... I want to try all I see, I want to learn the personality of them. What does it get right? What does it get wrong? What does it get SOO right that I can look past what it gets wrong. I'm always on the look out for another that speaks to me.

[@jimbeam-ru1my]

"those are the rare "masterpieces"." it's not a masterpiece when you build a guitar right. other companies are able to build all their les pauls right.

[@dw7704]

Some people prefer heavy guitars. Of course many don’t My LP is about 10 pounds, and I am good with it, but I have two light guitars and love those It depends on your back and how much you play one guitar standing, etc.

[@jimbeam-ru1my]

@@dw7704 10 pounds isn't heavy for a les paul.

[@dw7704]

@@jimbeam-ru1my depends on the era. It’s not the heaviest one, but for many 10 pounds is too heavy for a guitar It’s heavier than most LPs from 54 til now

[@jimbeam-ru1my]

@@dw7704 9-10 lbs is common for fifties les pauls. under norlin they could get from 12-14 lbs. a les paul under 9 lbs is a really light les paul.

[@theuserthatishere]

started on a paul, later realized fender is cool too. own and love both!

[@hod8931]

Yep, spot on IMO. Still need my tele and strat too but LP's are their own thing.

[@Steve.Cutler]

Just got my first les paul about 6 months ago. Took me 40+ years..lol Love mine!

[@ratwynd]

I have the best of both worlds! LP like thing made in the Fender Corona factory. A 1996 Guild Bluesbird. 24.75" scale, humbuckers w/ 4 knob controls, mahogany and maple cap with beautiful sunburst. During 1996 and 1997 after Fender bought Guild, they were built in the Fender Custom Shop in Corona, CA prior to Guild building their factory in Tacoma. I have not opened it up yet to examine the pickups for markings but they are black open coil buckers. Beautiful nitro finish in mint condition and OHSC. Body chambered and lighter than almost all LPs I have ever handled. She sings the Blues! I never found an LP I wanted that I could afford. After finding the Bluesbird I quit looking (other than for appreciation of a beautiful instrument).

[@guitarjonathan]

Derrick and I were literally just looking at one of these on Reverb!!!

[@sealedgravy3702]

Great jamming at the end of the video, Jonathan! I liked that you were hitting the toggle switch liberally to give us a sample of the tones the Les Paul and the guitarist can bring out of the instrument. Well done, my man!

[@emartinezr]

The reason some people feel shy about a Les Paul is that because the LP tone is so big and chunky.... it sort of commands a certain confidence or outspoken-nessfrom the player. You can't hide your guitar when it's a Les Paul because it's going to growl and sound larger than life......

[@seppi65]

I went for the R4 reissue, love the P-90s and wraparound bridge

[@festushaggen2563]

A Gibson Les Paul is all you need. I have 2 and nothing else interests me. They can do it all.

[@thomasfritsch3536]

I've collected budget guitars squires epiphone ect I have 7 string Jackson my tele is a t310 Gibson epi my fender stratocaster is a 50th anniversary 54 usa I love them I keep 22 tribute a 92 studio and SG special why 4 Gibson because they rule earning the crown why do I have two Gibson les Paul's I'm working my way up to a standard and maybe someday a custom but I'll never sell the studio it's ebony fretboard rules

[@kellygrant3074]

The only Paul I've connected with is a "Limed Mahogany" (T.V. yellow) Special with the black P-90's. The flat top, with almost no neck angle, flat pick-guard, wrap around bridge; straight up punk rock killer axe. It makes ALL the sounds, even the pull pot for the Greenie, stays in tune no matter what, nice chunky neck, sexy brown and pink case, flawless fret finish and LOUD! Half off retail on CL. I will never sell it. I have played so many Pauls that suck rocks, but 30 seconds in I knew this was gonna be my #1. Happens to have been a factory plek, and a Sweetwater spec, 2019 must have been a good year, or I just got lucky. Cheers!

[@66falcon99]

Of course every guitar player needs a Les Paul. My advice: save and get a Custom Shop model Gibson Les Paul Custom made the way you want it --"Made-to-Measure" or (M2M). I advise staying away from vintage. too much money, and not as good, IMO, as current Gibson Custom Shop.

[@jimbeam-ru1my]

no one needs a gibson les paul. of all the companies building les pauls, gibson does the shittiest job of it. buy yourself a greco eg500 from the 80's and you'll have a much better guitar for way cheaper. or buy an epiphone, a heritage, etc

[@mikeadams4605]

Nope!! Never been my thing....my Gibson choices are either a 335 or an SG. Not sure why but I have just never bonded with a Les Paul

[@jmakc3541]

B/c my audience of pets in my living room deserve to hear me butcher AC/DC with something more authentic than an Epiphone?

[@MrSmiley1964]

When I started playing all of the rockers played Les Pauls, but watching Steve Cropper on SNL (1978) made me want a Telecaster. But when I went shopping all I could find was a Strat. That directed my playing until 2004, when my wife bought my first Les Paul for me on our first Christmas as husband and wife. I won't part with it, to death do we part. I'm looking for a '58 RI and the cash for it now. Mighty tasteful playing Johnathan.

[@michaeljoyce3286]

I’ve played a lot of Les Paul the only thing that bothers me is you can pick up the same model, and each one has a slightly different thing about them sounds weird but it’s true but on a happier note, I recently walked into a big box store and saw 1955 reissue TV, yellow less Paul with P90 as I continue to look at it the medallion on the back was different serial number was different. I asked the person how much it is and he said it’s $1000 yeah thousand dollars. I played it for a while has sustained for days it was different. I asked to see the case and gave them the thousand bucks open the case towards me come to find out it’s a custom shop Gc made a boo-boo I asked again and told the sales associate Dude do you know what you got here and he looked at me and smiled and said yeah and I said it’s 1000 bucks he said yeah OK so I’m the new owner

[@craigwillms61]

a blast from the past. I had that exact Les Paul Deluxe. Wish I would have kept it.

[@bryancollins6796]

Absolutely, you need a Les Paul. The question for you is which one? There are many, many different versions.

[@dw7704]

I think part of why I like them is that my first electric was a LP copy I later got a beatup used one Love it.

[@Datimdavis2900]

I am 62 and have been playing for about 50 years. I have numerous Les Pauls, a Flying V a non reverse Firebird, and a Yamaha Revstar standard. What drew me to the guitar was a 1976 LP Deluxe in cherry sunburst-the one that got away. I love how heavy they are and how they sound through my MesaBoogie Mark I. I love my Les Pauls!

[@brunoantony9257]

i used to hate Les Pauls, now I have four and prefer them to my Fenders

[@applehead252]

I totally agree. Something is very unique about them and I have almost everything literally and the lp just makes me play different and the sound is unique along with how comfortable to play sitting down it is . I have a gold top reissue.

[@mikeblue385]

i can't own anything that fragile.

[@yourselfbch]

Can it be a chibson 😮

[@JustMe-mn5hk]

Thank you Jonathan, and everyone else at casino guitars for all the awesome work y'all do! I've played and performed with straps and Kelly's all my life, but a few years ago I receive a Les Paul from a friend that passed away.. I knew I would love it just because it belonged to him! But it didn't take me long to find out I love it also because it's a Les Paul! I truly didn't know what I was missing! RIP Monty and thank you for all the wonderful memories!

[@mitchellmtb7202]

Dropped 5k on a new LP Custom. The quality is still Shiite.

[@RealROCKnROLLA]

I'm gonna take a drive to try out a used 2019 r9 this Saturday. I hope I like it, the price is delicious👌

[@TommiChong]

None of my stores anywhere have any Gibson's Les Paul. 😮 Never played a real one ever.aybe one day.

[@qua7771]

They play a lot like a copy.

[@Mankwokheiman]

I need one.

[@garrysimmons111]

I've always been an "I'll play anything" guy with no obvious preference for body shape or scale length, but I seem to be playing my Les Paul's a lot lately. Especially since I bought a late 2006 (chambered) that feels and sounds like a proper LP but has the weight of an SG (7.25 lbs).

[@davedavid7061]

this is the first comment section that hasnt kicked the piss out of Gibson. My 21 Standard is flawless

[@robertschiffhauer1679]

My first guitar looked like a Les Paul,but it only costed $125 times in like 1989,90? It was twice as heavy as the real Gibson Les Paul I have now,thanks to Jimmy Page.🎸👍Had a Strat before.Prefer my Les Paul.🎸🔥✌️

[@jameswhite1450]

everyone needs a es-335. 🙂

Our cousin James is a 25 year working musician and owns three....Telecasters .... No one "needs" a Les Paul ....

[@TheBenwaugh69]

Got my first Gibson Les Paul a few weeks ago a classic from 2000 and I’m super stoked now I need a Marshall half stack to chase that vibe down .:) I enjoy the middle setting with the bridge pick up rolled off just a touch .

[@Foofang65]

Love em👍✌️

[@jasondorsey7110]

If you find a gibson you vibe with...DON'T SELL IT

[@joshuabarron8535]

Nobody "needs" a Les Paul. Its a luxury, not a necessity. I have a Lawsuit era "Les Paul", and I'm happy with it. #Gibson_is_overrated #Gibson_is_overpriced #Gibson_is_losing_to_imports

[@jameswhite1450]

i'd like a '50s standard.

[@dking4165]

Why you need an Ernie Ball Music Man AXIS Hardtail....LP+!

[@shawn_ten_toes]

Agreed.... though Gibson, as a company, is trying their hardest to push players like me away. It feels like it's working, too.

[@DoctorEnigma01]

Everyone likes to complain about the headstock, the headstock IS part of the sound and nobody talks about it. I own 7 Gibson’s 4 of them Les Paul’s and never broke one, I don’t lean them against amps, I don’t even use guitar stands unless it’s hanging from a wall, when I’m not playing it, it goes back in the case, I use strap locks and a genuine leather strap which also eliminates neck dive on the SG (another stupid complaint) i clean them after playing them, I take care of them! Just like my pickup truck, 27 years old and still looks and runs great. Treat it like a piece of artwork, because it is, they don’t break because of poor design, they break because you were careless with it.

[@aliengrey6052]

I have 2 Gibson les Paul’s. A classic and a Traditional, and 1 Epiphone les Paul modern. All slightly different. All real Les Paul’s.

[@timesurfingalien]

I would love a Gibson. But Gibson seems to have a major problem with affordability. Id rather own a dozen Firefly

[@buddylobos5277]

My first real expensive guitar. In 1971 a Black Custom. It was $740.00 delivered. They're like riding a buckin' bronc. You need to let them know who's in charge.

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

Les pauls are great and they are definitely a staple in rock music. To me tho, I remember when i was a kid that out of all the guitars out there, the one i wanted to graduate to and someday hope to own one was the brian may red special. Now that i do, there is still no other guitar that can take its place. Great video Johnathan and awesome playing. Rock on 🤘

[@ThePedroDB]

The Brian May guitar is in a class of one. Which model do you own? I used to own the Guild BHM Pro - and it was lovely - but at the time I didn't see much benefit over the BMG Special and sold it. Big regrets ever since despite owning two BMG Specials (neither of which are Red...)

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

@@ThePedroDB oh man sorry you sold it. I have the Guild BHM 1993 version. You are correct, the red special is on a class of its own.

[@jamesonpace726]

When I wuz young, what my heros, Chuck, Jimi, Jimmy, Eric, Angus, EVH, played didn't matter 'cuz I knew they were gawds on any guitar. I've since made up for this, but never try to sound like them, cuz I ain't them....

[@samright4661]

Gibson has more balls than most guitars ! They gave Rock it’s sound

[@dlflash56]

My first "real" guitar was a 1974 Les Paul Gold Top. I was in the Navy and ordered it new, through the base exchange. The price was $390 with case. I sold it back in the mid 80's to a friend, who promptly dropped it and broke the headstock... he had it less than a week. At the moment, I own a total of 9 Les Paul's, including my pride and joy, a 1959 Les Paul Special DC... of which I am the second owner. I also own a 1977 LP Custom, natural, with a maple fretboard, A R9, a R0, 2x LP Deluxe's, 1999 & 2001 LP Classic and a 2018 Traditional... plus 3 Limited edition Epiphone LP's... So technically I own 12.

[@MayorMcCheese2000]

I know you love your fenders... but come on.... look at you.... you were made for a les paul.... seeing you with a les paul just feels right... FYI for historical accuracy, Gibson got the Les Paul body shape from OW Appleton and his APP guitar, not that they'd ever give him or anyone credit for anything because they're Gibson.

[@jeffreyfarrar1571]

Other famous Les Paul icons were Randy Rhodes, and Ace Frehley from the biggest band in my lifetime, KISS.

[@wikolib6821]

For 750 on sale the black gold SE McCarty single works for me.

[@ThePedroDB]

I always thought the LP was a bit of an 'outdated Dad guitar'. As an 80's kid, Superstrats were (and Jems, mainly, still are..) my thang. However, if you want that classic 70's Rock tone - in my case Thin Lizzy - only an LP will do. As you said, not all LPs are equal. I now own 3x LPs (all axcess heel joint HP models) and my 2016 HP Studio with the 490R/498T pups absolutely 'nails' that tone and has amazing sustain. My 2018 HP2 Standard with Burstbucker Pro's is a unexpectedly bright sounding (is that 'more versatile'?). The Titanium Zero Fret nut on the HPs allows super low 'Jem level' action and playability to be achieved. They feel amazing. Both are keepers...

[@markkenific6587]

Great video and terrific explanation about the mystique of a Les Paul. I have 4 Gibson LP’s and 2 Epiphones. My go to is either my 04 Standard Plus or my 17 Traditional. Both great guitars.

[@johnbriggs3916]

What actually happened was that Leo Fender asked Les Paul to endorse the Telecaster. Les Paul said, "I don't know, I've always been a Gibson guy." He rushed to the Chairman of Gibson and said, "You've got to make a solid-body electric guitar, or Fender will rule the world!"

[@opinionhaver574]

I love all guitars but the Les Paul has always been my favorite. Currently very fortunate to own a Custom, a '50s Standard gold top (P90), a '60s Standard and an R9. They're all awesome but the R9 is on a whole other level. I was skeptical before I tried it. Now I know. Thanks for the video - great playing.

[@alangreenway6695]

A Strat is the sonic equivalent of a fine tipped graphical pen. A Les Paul is a big thick permanent marker. Everything else is somewhere in between. And you haven’t really experienced a Les Paul until you’ve played one through a Marshall.

[@mortbot]

Yup, love mine.... but I still always go back to my strat.😀

[@timedwards5600]

I'm sorry but alternatives are affordable. Real Les Paul's were made in Michigan. I can't afford the real deal.

[@timothygutkin5711]

I owned an identical deluxe to that one my first Les paul I was super excited....after a couple of days I couldn't wait to get rid of it

[@Juno58]

I like the LPs tone, but sadly i don't like the angle of the neck, which makes the strings high above the top. Flat guitars like Strats or PRS are more my thing, makes the playability better to me.

[@Galaxy3370]

Love your playing with the LP. Now we need you to do the same on 335. It sound so different from your Spotify playlist!?

[@PeterMoore350]

Yeah but if you look at it wrong or sneeze while you’re playing one the headstock will break. It’s a design flaw and getting it to stay in tune with that ridiculous nut and machine head/tuners placement? No wonder the tuning stability is crap. Give me a Solar GC1.6 or a PRS Tremonti single cut or an Edwards (ESP brand) way more stable, less QC issues and awesome for studio use too due to tuning stability. Yes great musicians played them. They had to put up with them. They’d not seen anything better at the time and used what they had. Doesn’t mean they were great guitars Now? There’s no reason to buy a Gibson LP given the tuning issues when there’s better offerings out there made by people who care vs all the fretboard tooling stuff Trogly shows you on his channel with brand new Gibsons. Cheers from NZ 😎🎸🤘

[@user-ql1pc7pi9x]

I would love my '68 Custom RI more, if the factory nut wasn't cut too low, which has led to frustration with nut replacements. I'm on my 4th (graphtech), and still not satisfied.

[@son0fsocal]

I don’t need a Les Paul, it’s the most overrated guitar ever made in my opinion, I owned one before, it’s ok. I returned it 9 years ago when I first bought it, got a PRS Single cut, still have it, I have 2, and for my 50th I have a Private stock being made for me.

[@RaymondoGalfredi]

There is only one guitar and that is the Les Paul. And a Tele. There are only two guitars and those are the Les Paul and a Tele. And a 335. There are only three guitars and those are the Les Paul and a Tele and a 335. And a Strat. There are only four guitars and those are the Les Paul and a Tele and a 335 and a Strat. And an SG. Amongst the number of guitars that exist are the Les Paul and a Tele and a 335 and a Strat and an SG. And nice red uniforms.

[@primeDecomposition]

Lmfao at guys like this in 2024 all like “hey man, you really gotta try this humbuckers thing…” like they were just invented a few years ago, like they’re really presenting the audience with some new information.

[@frankhughes5702]

The one problem I have with Gibson les paul is that headstock tilt it's way too sharp of a angle. Why haven't they corrected this?

[@bsen9928]

I like your guitar sound! What brand of mini humbuckers are you using?

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

You need a guitar that won't stay in tune, is very heavy and very fragile. You need a guitar that costs a fortune yet is poorly made. Now,go take your 12th booster.

[@hisdukeness3037]

Give me a cheaper guitar that I can tweak and tune, a nice amp, some pedals.. Or A decent used car for the price If it’s your holy grail guitar, C’est la vie

[@kevinmac59v2]

To keep chiropractor's cash flow strong.

[@hgwtube1]

you need a LP style guitar... you do not need a modern gibson...if you really want a high end, get a collings city limits....if you want to save money get a sire l7p.... btw, to casino guitars, if you start selling guitar influence style content, you are going to lose your audience and some business..try to stay real...ok I guess if you want a KKR hedge fund brand experience, then buy a gibson and hang it on your wall or spin it around your ceiling....play authentic

[@baileywatts1304]

They just aren't for me. Some people can do amazing things with them but I'd rather have an Ibanez with the monkey grips or a tele in the neck position with the tone rolled down.

[@gerryr8713]

A lot of Gibson content recently. Are you becoming a dealer (hope, hope)

[@drg6161]

I legitimately can't stand owning a Les Paul (it is my least favorite guitar by far), but I definitely acknowledge that you need to have one

[@DavidCarterVideos]

After a lifetime of Fender Strats and Teles, I got my first Gibson Les Paul in February of this year. A totally different beast but it just sounds soooo good when it's cranked up through a Marshall amp. Having loads of fun with it.

[@spacelab2756]

That LP seems to suit your playing style very well.

[@shanewalton8888]

Gibsons are okay, but ESP makes the best sounding Les Pauls. Avoid that crap Epiphone puts out at all costs.

[@joshuaallen8920]

If I could afford one I would get one but I do have an Epiphone Les Paul which is the closest to the real thing I can afford lol

[@benharvey356]

You know you’ve made it as a guitarist when other guitarists have signature editions of your signature edition guitar.

[@robertkalmey5270]

Pretty funny that people need a Les Paul but you put up a picture of a Deluxe, one of the least desirable ones 😂 I have a gold top classic and it's great.

[@MatthewBaron]

I completely disagree and so do my Les Pauls.

[@jjulch]

Hope a Heritage H150 and H137 are good enough…

[@alvanwalls8371]

Go to your local Guitar Center play a Les Paul then buy one ..

[@ryangunwitch-black]

Yeah i probably need one. Or at least a TV Yellow Jr. 💛

[@scottcutrer223]

The best Les Paul video ever!

[@Mcfly0856]

I tried to substitute the Les Paul with others and it never worked out too well!

[@factualverbage]

Peavey T-60 does it all..........

[@waynewhiteside]

When I grew up they were all tube anps, big and small.

[@robertwillett4122]

Best guitar ever conceived.

[@garyshepherd9226]

Mine stays in tune and sustains - perfect.

[@brandonc2859]

because we bought too many

[@brianchurilla7060]

I went to your site and you have none???

[@AbstractZombie-ed8fj]

You don't need a Gibson.. There's Tokai, Greco, Edwards, Grassroots, Burny, Navigator, and so on.. The early Tokai are literally built from reverse engineering an actual 1958 Les Paul that the factory still owns.. The Burny Super Grades and Greco Super Real are all extremely close to vintage accurate and none of them cost $6k+....

[@216trixie]

I have an 80s Tokai SG. It is equal to a Gibson.

[@BarronVonSchnoot]

Spoiler: you don’t

[@thesmokinggun8674]

Is that the guy from duck dynasty?